Aerosol 101

VOC/MIR March 18, 2015

By Doug Raymond

Raymond Regulatory Resources (3R)

VOC Calculations

Numerous ways to

calculate

Volatile Organic

Compound Content

VOC Calculations

Grams per liter –Architectural/Automotive Paint

Percent by Weight

Maximum Incremental Reactivity (MIR)

Mass based rule

Use weight percent VOC

content to determine limit

for Consumer products.

“Percent by weight”“Percent by Weight VOC”means the total weight of VOC in

a product expressed as a

percentage of the product weight

(exclusive of the container or

packaging), as determined

pursuant to sections 94515 (a)

and (b).

Percent by Weight

Example

Formulation Example:

Chemical Formula % V.O.C. Total V.O.C. Water 30 No = 0 % Acetone 20 No = 0 % Xylene 10 Yes = 10 % Ethanol 20 Yes = 20 % Isobutane 20 Yes = 20 %

Total = 50 %

Reactivity

Use of individual Maximum

Incremental Reactivity

Values for a compound to

determine a MIR limit for

Aerosol Coatings.

•Reactivity is a measure of how much a compound contributes to the photochemical formation of ozone.

• EPA usually compares the reactivity's of

compounds to the reactivity of ethane to

evaluate "negligibly reactive" status.

What is

“Reactivity”all about ….

Toluene 4.00

Ethanol 1.53

Isopropyl Alcohol 0.61

Propane 0.49

EXEMPT

Acetone 0.36

Ethane 0.28

Methane 0.014

Here are some examples ranked by MIR value:

These MIR numbers probably represent worst case values and

may be different for conditions found in different cities.

Maximum Incremental

Reactivity Values…

How is a product formulation

using the new Reactivity method

be determined?

Formulation example:

Chemical Formula % MIR % x MIR

Resins/solids 20 0 = 0

Toluene 20 4.00 = 0.80

Acetone 30 0.36 = 0.11

Isopropyl 10 0.61 = 0.06

Propane 20 0.49 = 0.10

Total = 1.07

*Note: MIR values from 1/2000 Carter model

Photochemical

Reactivity Concepts

Reactivity - Measure of a VOC’s potential to react in the atmosphere and lead to the formation of ozone

Use of “lower reactive” VOCs may provide means for ozone reduction benefit where mass-based VOC reductions are not feasible

Flexible approach that gives manufacturers more reformulation options

May not be appropriate for all categoriesproducts that contain only a few percent VOCs or contain compounds with the lowest MIR values

What is a smart way to

attack the ozone problem?

Is a policy revision appropriate??

Any Questions????